1973 NJ Gubernatorial Election

The 1973 Gubernatorial election in NJ, the Largest gubernatorial win up to that point and the largest democratic win in the Modern Era resulted in Moderate former Essex County Judge Brendan Byrne beating Conservative Stalwart Cape May Congressman Mr. Charles Sandman

A Contest fought at the height of Watergate, with Mr. Sandman on the Judiciary committee defending Nixon and Byrne campaigning on Restoring Integrity to Government, the election - despite Mr. Sandman's attempts - was never going to be close

Beginning with the Primary Campaigns, Conservative stalwart Mr. Sandman routed Liberal Republican incumbent William Cahill in a bitter primary.

The reason for this success was the massive amount of scandals that befell Gov. Cahill's administration. It should also be noted that a bitter grudge between the two men existed, said grudge began during the 1969 Primary

In contrast to the bitter sludgefest on the Republican side, Brendan Byrne easily won the Democratic primary against Morris County's Anne Klein, and Fellow Essex Pol Ralph DeRose, with the support of most of the party's establishment.

Despite the Watergate and Cahill Admin Scandals tainting the Republican brand in NJ Mr. Sandman's unsuccessfully attempted to turning the election on a referendum on a potential State income tax.

Said Income tax was something both candidates claimed to oppose (as the proposition was toxic in NJ at the time); Mr. Sandman more vehemently than Byrne (Gov. Byrne would later institute one during his first term)

However, in the End the scandals were too much, and combined with Byrne's careful, almost center right politics against the firebrand Mr. Sandman in the traditionally moderate swing state the Essex Judge who sought to restore confidence in Government won.

Lastly, it should be noted that while Mr. Sandman "Didn't blame anyone for his loss" as a band played Mr. Sandman by the Cordettes, most GOP operatives pinned the blame on President Nixon, frm VP Agnew, and Watergate.

These GOP operatives, who saw the 1973 NJ Gubernatorial election as a referendum on President Nixon and Watergate (Correctly) feared that it was a prelude to a potentially disasterous 1974 Midterms.

In His 1973 win Brendan Byrne won 20/21 Counties to Mr. Sandman's 1/21, 39/40 State Legislative Districts to Mr. Sandman's 1/40, and 15/15 Congressional Districts to Mr. Sandman's 0/15

Sources: